A proof-of-concept study evaluating cardiac compression techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation in laying hens (Gallus gallus).

OBJECTIVE: To determine in adult chickens which of 3 CPR techniques, sternal compressions (SC), SC with interposed caudal coelomic compressions (ICCC), or lateral compressions (LC), results in the highest mean systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as measured directly from the carotid artery. DESIGN: Prospective, nonblinded, experimental crossover study. SETTING: University teaching hospital laboratory. ANIMALS: Ten retired laying hens. INTERVENTIONS: Birds were sedated, anesthetized, and placed in dorsal recumbency. A carotid artery catheter was placed to directly measure arterial pressure. Ventricular fibrillation was induced with direct cardiac stimulation using a 9-Volt battery. Each bird then received 2 minutes of the 3 different cardiac compression techniques in a random order by 3 different compressors, with the compressor order also randomized. Birds were subsequently administered IV epinephrine, and transthoracic defibrillation was attempted. At the end of experimentation, each bird was euthanized, and simple gross necropsies were performed. Linear mixed models followed by pairwise paired t-tests were performed to evaluate differences in pressures generated by each technique. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary study outcomes were SAP, DAP, and MAP over 2 minutes of compressions for each compression technique. Pressures from ICCC (SAP: 27.6 ± 5.3 mm Hg, DAP: 18.7 ± 5.2 mm Hg, MAP: 21.7 ± 5.2 mm Hg) were significantly higher than those from LC (SAP: 18.9 ± 5.4 mm Hg, DAP: 11.6 ± 4.1 mm Hg, MAP: 14.1 ± 4.5 mm Hg). Pressures from SC (SAP: 24.5 ± 6.4 mm Hg, DAP: 15.2 ± 4.3 mm Hg, MAP: 18.3 ± 5.0 mm Hg) were not significantly different from ICCC or LC. CONCLUSIONS: External compressions can generate detectable increases in arterial pressure in chickens with ventricular fibrillation. SC with ICCC generated significantly higher arterial pressures than LC. SC alone generated blood pressures that were not significantly different from those generated by SC with ICCC or LC.

Viscoelastic coagulation monitoring parameters in cats with acute arterial thromboembolism.

BACKGROUND: Hypercoagulability has been documented in cats with cardiac disease. However, hemostatic parameters, including viscoelastic coagulation monitoring (VCM) have not been reported in cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Compare VCM parameters in cats with acute cardiogenic ATE and in control cats. ANIMALS: Sixteen cats with ATE and 30 control cats. METHODS: Multicenter university-based prospective study. Cardiogenic ATE was diagnosed based on physical examination and by ultrasonographically-diagnosed left atrial enlargement. Viscoelastic coagulation monitor analysis, CBC, serum biochemistry profile and coagulation profile were performed at admission in cats with ATE. Analysis from healthy control cats was performed using blood collected by direct venipuncture. Our objective was comparison of VCM parameters clot time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), alpha angle (Angle), maximum clot formation (MCF), amplitude at 10 and 20 minutes (A10 and A20, respectively) and clot lysis index at 30 and 45 minutes (LI30 and LI45, respectively) between ATE and control cats. RESULTS: Cats with ATE had a decreased angle compared to control cats, with a median (range) of 43° (30-48°) compared to 47° (14-59°; P = .01). The parameters A10, A20 and MCF were decreased in ATE cats compared to control cats with a median (range) of 19 units (8-32) compared to 22 units (6-38), 24.5 units (11-40) compared to 29 units (10-47) and 29.5 units (13-44) compared to 33.5 units (14-53), respectively (P = .01, .01 and .01, respectively). The parameters CT, CFT, LI30 and LI45 were similar between groups (P = .22, .09, .62 and .34, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cats with cardiogenic ATE cats have VCM parameters consistent with hypocoagulability compared with healthy cats.

A Retrospective Study of Sildenafil Administration in 55 Cats with Cardiopulmonary Disease (2009-2021).

Sildenafil is a drug used to successfully manage a variety of cardiopulmonary disorders in people and dogs, but there is limited information on its use in cats. The objective was to review the medical records of cats that received sildenafil as part of their clinical management. Medical records and pharmacy databases were searched for cats that received sildenafil for ≥24 h between 2009 and 2021, and data were collected from medical records. Fifty-five cats received sildenafil for ≥24 h and were included in the study: 43 with primary cardiac disease (acquired, n = 28; congenital, n = 15) and 12 with primary respiratory disease. Side effects possibly attributed to sildenafil were identified in two cats (systemic hypotension, n = 1; polydipsia, n = 1), and sildenafil was discontinued in the cat with hypotension. Sildenafil was discontinued in an additional three cats due to a lack of improvement in clinical signs. No cat was documented to develop worsening pulmonary edema within 72 h of starting sildenafil. Median duration of sildenafil administration was 87 days (range, 2-2362 days). Sildenafil administration in cats appeared to be generally well-tolerated. Studies are needed to determine whether sildenafil administration to cats with cardiopulmonary disease improves the quality of life or survival times.

Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse or low-pulse diets.

BACKGROUND: Apparently healthy dogs of various breeds eating nontraditional, high-pulse diets can have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared with dogs eating traditional, low-pulse diets. It is unknown whether Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse diets have similar cardiac abnormalities. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating high- or low-pulse diets. ANIMALS: Ninety-seven Irish Wolfhounds. METHODS: Retrospective study of Irish Wolfhounds that had echocardiography performed at dog shows between October 2018 and May 2021. Demographic information, echocardiographic measurements, cardiac rhythm (1-minute lead II rhythm strip), and main diet were recorded retrospectively. Diets were classified as high-pulse or low-pulse based on the presence and location of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, or dry beans) on the ingredient list. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 97 Irish Wolfhounds (36%) were eating high-pulse diets and 62 of 97 (64%) were eating low-pulse diets. There were no significant differences between diet groups in echocardiographic measurements. A significantly higher percentage of dogs in the high-pulse diet group (6/35 [17%]) had VPCs compared with those in the low-pulse diet group (1/62 [2%]; effect size = 0.15 [95% confidence interval: 0.004-0.31]; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In this retrospective study of apparently healthy Irish Wolfhounds, high-pulse diets were associated with a higher prevalence of VPCs which could represent early cardiac abnormalities.